The Character of a Happy Life
Sir Henry Wotton
1568 to 1639
Track 1
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And having nothing, yet hath all.
More of His grace than gifts to lend;
Who envies none that chance doth raise,
With a religious book or friend;
And entertains the harmless day
Who hath his life from rumours freed;
Of public fame or private breath;
Nor ruin make oppressors great;
How happy is he born and taught
And simple truth his utmost skill!
—This man is freed from servile bands
Whose passions not his masters are;
Whose conscience is his strong retreat;
That serveth not another's will;
Nor rules of state, but rules of good;
Of hope to rise or fear to fall:
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Whose soul is still prepared for death,
Lord of himself, though not of lands,
Nor vice; who never understood
Who God doth late and early pray
Whose armour is his honest thought,
Untied unto the world by care
How deepest wounds are given by praise;